Population
Mississauga has transformed from a collection of villages into one of Canada’s largest cities in just a few decades. The 2021 census recorded 717,961 residents living in 244,575 private dwellings across a land area of 292.7 km². This equals a density of about 2,453 people per km². While the city saw rapid growth between the 1970s and 2000s, the most recent census showed a slight dip (−0.5%) compared to 2016, reflecting Mississauga’s shift from expansion to urban intensification.
The median age is 40.8 years. Children under 15 make up 15.2%, while seniors 65 and older represent 16.6% of the population. This balance highlights a city with both young families and a significant senior community.
Long-Run Trend
1971–1991: Rapid suburban boom (from 172,352 to 463,388).
1991–2011: Continued growth, topping 713,443.
2016–2021: A modest dip (721,599 → 717,961, −0.5%), the sort of recalibration common to mature urban areas as housing forms and household sizes shift.
Ethnicity
Mississauga is one of Canada’s most diverse cities. In 2021, the largest groups by pan-ethnic origin were:
European: 37.6% (267,790 people)
South Asian: 25.4% (180,800)
East Asian: 8.4% (60,035)
Southeast Asian: 7.8% (55,500)
Middle Eastern/Arab: 7.2% (51,315)
Black: 6.9% (49,220)
Latin American: 2.4% (17,325)
Indigenous Peoples: 0.5% (3,555)
Within specific origins, the largest include Indian (90,560), Chinese (55,350), Pakistani (41,025), Filipino (37,325), Polish (36,095), and Italian (38,075). This multicultural blend shapes local culture, food, and community life.
Religion
The city’s faith profile is equally diverse. As of 2021:
Christianity: 49.9% (with Catholicism at 30.4%)
Islam: 17.0%
Hinduism: 8.8%
Sikhism: 3.4%
Buddhism:2.0%
Judaism: 0.2%
No religion: 18.1%
Churches, mosques, temples, and gurdwaras are found throughout the city, reflecting Mississauga’s cultural and religious diversity.
Language
English remains the main language, spoken as a mother tongue by 44.9% of residents. Other common languages are Urdu (5.0%), Arabic (4.7%), Mandarin (3.2%), Polish (3.1%), and Punjabi (2.9%). Tagalog, Spanish, Cantonese, Portuguese, Hindi, Vietnamese, Tamil, and Italian are also widely spoken.
Overall, 96.5% of residents can speak English, while 6.8% also know French. Multilingualism is a key feature of everyday life in Mississauga, from schools and businesses to cultural events.